Plug-ins

What could be more tempting than a sweet-sounding virtual analogue synth? How about that same synth bundled with a bunch of high-quality plug-ins targeted at music production?

Are all convolution reverbs the same? I'm looking to get a decent reverb for my Pro Tools rig, and there seems to be lots...

Waves are tempting owners of Yamaha digital hardware with an updated DSP board and a new selection of additional plug-in processors.

General MIDI synths are rarely glamorous, but there's no reason why they should not sound as good as more professional alternatives — that, at least, is the thinking behind NI's Bandstand soft synth.

PSP's latest plug-in covers the spectrum from vintage tape-echo emulation to serious weirdness.

This innovative new plug-in allows Pro Tools users to record each other over the Internet, in real time.

The former Wave Mechanics team set out to create the ultimate classic echo unit emulator, and ended up with a plug-in that does much more.

If you need a new way of adapting the feel of a loop, or you want decent pitch-shifting and time-stretching on a budget, Psoft's inexpensive utility might be for you.

Most recent electric piano virtual instruments have been sample-based, but in Lounge Lizard, AAS continue to fly the flag for their physical modelling technology; version 3 offers an improved fork model, plus modelled electromagnetic and electrostatic pickups...

We test another group of hot plug-ins: Universal Audio Dimension D • Ugo Rez, Texture, String Theory & Motion • TC Electronic VSS3 Stereo Source Reverb.

With W2, Wizoo's aim is to combine the realism of convolution reverb with the flexibility of an algorithmic design.

Since its launch in 2000, NI's B4 has been the software instrument of choice for those who want realistic tonewheel organ sounds from their computer. But NI are clearly convinced it can be better...

Sound designer Rob Papen may be best known to you as the man behind amazing sounds for the Access Virus or Alesis Andromeda. Now he's moved into producing software-based synths of his own. So how good is it?

Like many of Sony Oxford's plug-ins, their new limiter takes a familiar concept and applies a novel twist.

Ever fancied arranging 'Oops, I Did It Again' for a full choir? Well now you can, courtesy of Symphonic Choirs, the latest virtual-instrument sample library from East West and Quantum Leap.

We test two hot new plug-ins: Camel Audio's Camel Space (PC VST & Mac OS X AU) and TC Electronic's DVR2 (Mac/PC Powercore).

There can't be many Pro Tools users left who have not had to invest in an iLok key in order to run their favourite plug-ins. But did you know that you can insure, transfer and even buy and sell iLok plug-in licences electronically? Find out more...

Software guitar amp modelling has been around for a while, but GTR is Waves' first foray into the field — and as you'd expect, they have made a huge effort to get it right, even hiring guitar maker Paul Reed Smith to design a bespoke preamp.

The new Tiger AUPitch plug-in promises better pitch-shifting performance, but does it deliver in practice?

Basement Arts Frantic, Cakewalk Z3TA+, and Progress Software Soup get the install treatment.

Altiverb was one of the first convolution reverbs to appear. Is it still the best?